Table of Contents

September 2011

How to Manage Money

3 Hit by the Great Recession

4 Why Save Rather Than Spend?

7 How to Manage Your Money

8 Seven Wise Sayings

12 A Bird’s-Eye View of Fishing

14 A Traditional Form of Russian Wood Painting

15 “I Did Not Die”

16 Murchison Falls​—Uganda’s Unique Piece of the Nile

18 “Write to Anton!”

22 The Domesday Book​—An Extraordinary Survey

24 Tatars​—Their Past, Present, and Future

29 Watching the World

30 For Family Review

32 How to Be God’s Friend

Hit by the Great Recession

“THE worst economy in a generation.” That is how Encyclopædia Britannica Online described the recession that hit the world recently. The economic downturn that started in the United States in 2007 has been so severe and has affected so many countries that it has been given a unique name, the Great Recession.

What caused it? Newsweek magazine put the answer simply: “A frenzy of irresponsible borrowing.” But why the frenzy to borrow on credit, to buy things for which people are unable to pay?

You will likely agree that the world’s economic system, which cultivates greed, did precisely that. The message was, in effect: “Buy! Buy! Buy!” whether you can pay for it or not. “A generation has learned the hard way the dangers of borrowing too much,” explains economist Chris Farrell in his book The New Frugality.

Many countries were sent reeling from the blow of the Great Recession. “Despite signs of recovery,” stated a front-page headline of the South African newspaper Sunday Times last year, “consumers . . . are still struggling to put food on the table.” The newspaper reports that “almost 3 000 000 consumers [in South Africa] are more than three months in arrears on their bills; and about 250 000 middle-income earners have lost their jobs in the past two years.”

Job losses have numbered into the tens of millions in recent years. As for reports of signs of recovery in the United States, the Financial Times quipped: “The recovery since June 2009 could be called the ‘Great Disappointment.’” The paper added: “Many economists think that the need to pay down debt will hold back consumption growth for several years to come.”

If you are a victim of the Great Recession, no doubt you can relate to what author David Beart wrote in an essay: “It seems there is a lot of discussion about the world’s financial problems, but little information offered about how to solve these issues.”

The following articles have been designed to help people struggling with debt. These questions will be considered: What are the benefits of saving? What can you do if you are in debt? How can you learn to manage your money better?

Why Save Rather Than Spend?

“SAVING is a bore,” many say. “Buying clothes, electronic gadgets, and such things is fun.”

Whether you have been affected by the decline in the world’s economy or not, you can benefit from considering ways you can save as well as ways you can spend wisely. Note the advice of an authoritative source that has helped millions of people through the centuries to cope with their financial problems.

Three Ancient Wise Sayings

In one of his parables, Jesus of Nazareth pointed to an important financial principle. In it a master admonished his servant: “You ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.” (Matthew 25:27, New American Standard Bible) What Jesus said then has special relevance today. Let’s consider why.

In recent times in some countries, the interest earned in about ten years exceeded the original amount of money invested. Although today not many banks offer such attractive interest rates and interest on investments is not always as high as investors hoped it would be, it is wise to have savings on hand for emergencies.

The Bible highlights that fact, saying: “Wisdom is for a protection the same as money is.” (Ecclesiastes 7:12) But money cannot protect you if you have not saved any! “Let each of you,” the Bible encourages, “set something aside in store as he may be prospering.”​—1 Corinthians 16:2.

How You Can Save

First, before buying an expensive item, consider whether it is really necessary.

Second, if you need something, search for new items that are on sale or for good used items. Espen and Janne, who are parents living in Norway, needed a carriage for their baby boy, Daniel. They bought an almost new one for half price. “When Daniel outgrows it,” Espen says, “I’m sure we will be able to sell it for a good price.” But he warns: “Looking for good deals can take a lot of time.”a

Third, don’t be impulsive; sleep on the matter. If you still feel that the item is vital, you may consider looking for something similar in a discount or secondhand shop. Also, you can often save money if you do not feel compelled to buy popular name brands. Further, rather than buy the latest styles of children’s clothes at expensive stores, why not use hand-me-downs?

Similarly, a new mother may consider using cloth diapers that can be washed. The book Budgeting​—Personal Spending and Money Management a Key to Weathering the Storm, by Denise Chambers, states: “Disposable diapers will cost you about $2,000 or more for 2 years. Cloth diapers . . . $300-500 over those same 2 years.” She added: “Modern cloth diapers are so much easier to use and you’ll benefit the planet too!”

Fourth, consider that it usually costs less to buy ingredients and cook meals than it does to eat out. If you have school-age children, why not teach them to prepare sandwiches instead of giving them money to buy more expensive food? And rather than buying expensive beverages, drink water instead. It is much healthier and easier on your pocketbook.

Not long ago families had their own vegetable gardens. Have you considered growing some of your own food? Many, including those living in apartments or small houses, have an area they can use for gardening. You may be amazed at how much food a person can grow in a limited amount of soil!

Consider further: If you need to have a cell phone, can you use it for emergencies only and pay in advance for a limited amount of calling time? Or if you have a clothes dryer, have you thought about limiting its use? Perhaps you can hang some of your wash​—or, at times, even all of it—​on a clothesline. You might also be able to limit your use of air conditioners and heaters. Before switching on such devices, ask yourself, ‘Is the weather really that extreme?’ You might also talk to others to learn how they limit the use of electricity.

It is also helpful to open a savings account. In addition, Hilton, a volunteer worker in South Africa, explains: “It’s wise not to have all your ‘eggs in one basket.’ At times, banks and financial institutions fail. We have had that experience.” So wisely select a bank where your savings are guaranteed by the government in the event of bank failure.

How to Get Out of Debt

First, try to pay more than the minimum monthly amount required on each bill, credit card, or other commitment.

Second, concentrate initially on paying the debt that carries the highest interest.

Third, curb your spending habits. This is especially important.

Have you been enticed by seductive advertising? Danny, a family man in Sweden, admits that he has. He had a good business but had to sell it to pay off his credit-card debt. He learned a lesson and is now in control of his money. He gives this advice: “Beware of greed. Find contentment by living within your means.”

Legitimate Debt

Few people are in a position to pay the full price of a house or an apartment. So, many buy a house by obtaining a loan from a bank. The monthly sum they pay to the bank for this loan can be viewed as rent for a house. But when they have paid back the loan over an extended period, they own the house!

Many people also find it helpful to take out a loan to purchase a fuel-efficient motor vehicle. By paying off the loan as quickly as possible, the car turns into a valuable asset, another form of saved money.b Some have found it wise to buy a used car that is in good condition and has relatively few miles on it. Others save money by using public transportation or even riding a bicycle.

Whatever the case, be modest and realistic about what you buy, and make your decisions carefully. Being a carefree spender can become addictive and can lead to heartache. So work on being a cautious and prudent spender, which can put you in a position to enjoy lasting happiness.

Further, to be a happy saver, you must know how to manage your money. That is the subject of the next article.

[Footnotes]

[Pictures on page 5]

WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

Search for items on sale

Buy clothes from discount or secondhand stores

Teach your children to prepare food

[Picture on page 6]

Lower food costs by growing a small vegetable garden. Save money by drying laundry outside

How to Manage Your Money

BASICALLY there are three ways to manage money: (1) Spend it, (2) save it, or (3) give it away. Let us first discuss how to spend money wisely.

If the Great Recession has highlighted nothing else, it has shown the wisdom of living on a well-planned budget. What is a budget? Simply put, it is an estimate of how income will be used, whether by an individual, a family, a business, or a government.

A Family Project

How can you plan a budget? “All family members,” says the book Budgeting, by Denise Chambers, “should be included in drawing up the plan so that all have a commitment to the family budget.” Periodically, all should get together to see how their budget is working. Creating a successful budget can become a rewarding family project as each one finds ways to live within the family’s income.

To work out a budget, some people use a computer program. Others simply use a pencil and a sheet of paper, which they divide into two columns. One column is for income, and the other for expenditures. It is also important to include in the budget a monthly amount to cover once-a-year expenses, such as income tax and perhaps a vacation.

A time-tested method of budgeting is based on the use of envelopes or folders labeled “Food,” “Rent,” “Transportation,” “Electricity,” “Medical Bills,” and so forth. In the past, people put cash for those expenses in the envelopes each month. Now many feel it is safer and easier to deposit money in a bank account and withdraw it as needed.

Jonathan and Anne, who live in South Africa with their two daughters, often use the folder method of budgeting. “If your salary is deposited in a bank account,” says Jonathan, “it is just as important to be strict about how your money is divided. For example, if you run out of your monthly allowance for meat, then you should not take money set aside for savings to buy more meat.”

Jonathan used to run a business, but now he and his family have chosen to be volunteer workers and are involved in building places of worship. Because they treasure this life of giving, they need to live on a budget more than ever. The family regularly have discussions to see how their budget is working and to make needed adjustments.

The Greater Happiness

Studies show that giving of resources to others, including time and energy as well as some money, brings a greater happiness. To the extent your resources allow, it can be the best of the three options mentioned in the introduction.

Chris Farrell, in his book The New Frugality, says that savings are “a means of supporting spending.” He recommends: “One of the most valuable and sensible things you can do with your money is give it away.”a Farrell adds: “When you think about what matters most, it’s usually relationships, experiences, and the sense of making a difference, not money and possessions.”

Michael Wagner, an economist, seems to agree. In his book, Your Money, Day One, aimed at motivating youths to save, he states: “When you take it upon yourself to help those who are less fortunate, that kindness and generosity will come back to you in a variety of positive ways, but most rewarding is the feeling you will experience in your heart by helping your fellow man.”

The Bible acknowledges that giving results in happiness. As discussed earlier, the Bible contains sayings that can help you manage your resources wisely. Now, consider seven more of these wise sayings.

[Footnote]

Seven Wise Sayings

THE sayings below are found in an ancient book filled with maxims that have proved to be practical and up-to-date. Consider how these may be helpful in managing your money.

1. “A mere lover of silver will not be satisfied with silver, neither any lover of wealth with income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) Those are not the words of an envious man of little means. One of the richest men who ever lived, King Solomon of Israel, wrote them based on his personal experience and observation. Wealthy men of more recent times have made similar remarks.

2. “If we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation.” (1 Timothy 6:8, 9, NET Bible) Those words were written by the apostle Paul, who gave up a prominent career and became a follower of Jesus Christ. Unlike some religious leaders today, Paul firmly resisted any temptation to take material advantage of his students or associates. Instead, he could honestly say: “I have coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands have attended to the needs of me and of those with me.”​—Acts 20:33, 34.

3. “Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28) Jesus’ illustration might be applied to a situation you may face: When making a purchase, especially with a credit card, will you buy impulsively or be patient and count the cost? Do you really need the item, and can you afford it?

4. “Those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders.” (Proverbs 22:7, Contemporary English Version) The recent world financial crisis has exposed the folly of credit-card and other forms of debt. “It is common for a person today to have, on average, over $9,000 in credit card debt on four or more credit cards,” states Michael Wagner in his 2009 book Your Money, Day One.

5. “The wicked one is borrowing and does not pay back, but the righteous one is showing favor and is making gifts.” (Psalm 37:21) Declaring bankruptcy is viewed by some as an easy way out of paying back what they owe. On the other hand, those who value a good relationship with God are not only conscientious about paying back what they owe, if they can possibly do so, but also generous with what they have.

6. “A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread.” (Psalm 37:25) Those words were written by a man who suffered unjust treatment. For years he was a fugitive, sometimes living in caves and sometimes seeking refuge in a foreign land. Eventually, this fugitive, David, became ancient Israel’s king. During his life he experienced for himself the truthfulness of the above words.

7. “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Those words were spoken by the greatest man who ever lived. “For the joy that was set before him,” Jesus spent his life on earth in the service of others. Now he enjoys immortal spirit life in heaven at the right hand of “the happy God,” Jehovah.​—Hebrews 12:2; 1 Timothy 1:11.

We can have no greater purpose in life than to imitate the example of Jesus by doing all within our power to be in a position to serve the interest of others. No doubt you will agree that it is better to be a cautious saver, so as to be able to be a generous giver, than to be a selfish spender.

The Bible’s Viewpoint

A Weekly Holy Day​—Is It Required?

AROUND the earth, millions of Muslims, Jews, and professed Christians have set apart one day each week for special religious activities. Why? Ibrahim, for example, a devout Muslim who visits a mosque every Friday to pray and hear a sermon explains: “I want to feel close to God and find peace of mind.”

Does the Bible teach that God requires us to observe a weekly holy day? Is worshipping on a particular day the key to finding true spiritual refreshment?

A Temporary Arrangement

More than 3,500 years ago, God used the prophet Moses to provide a special set of laws. That Law included a system of rest days, or Sabbaths, that were set aside for worship. The most frequent rest day was the weekly Sabbath. It began at sunset on Friday and continued until sunset on Saturday.​—Exodus 20:8-10.

Were people of all nations to observe that weekly rest day? No, they were not. The Law of Moses was given exclusively to the Israelites and their proselytes. God said to Moses: “The sons of Israel must keep the sabbath . . . Between me and the sons of Israel it is a sign to time indefinite.”a​—Exodus 31:16, 17.

The Bible says that the Mosaic Law was “a shadow of the things to come.” (Colossians 2:17) Hence, the Sabbath was part of a temporary arrangement for worship that pointed forward to a future, superior arrangement. (Hebrews 10:1) The Bible shows that from God’s standpoint, the Law given to Israel, including the requirement to observe a weekly Sabbath day, came to an end at Jesus’ death. (Romans 10:4) What replaced it?

A New Way of Worship

The form of worship acceptable to God after the Mosaic Law had fulfilled its purpose is clearly described in the Bible. Does it include worshipping on a specific day each week?

The Scriptures indicate that some commands given to Israel also applied to those in the Christian congregation. These included the commands to abstain from idolatry and fornication, as well as from eating blood. (Acts 15:28, 29) Significantly, the commands regarding the weekly Sabbath were not included among the ones that Christians were required to obey.​—Romans 14:5.

What else does the Bible tell us about how first-century Christians worshipped? They regularly met together to pray, read scriptures, listen to talks, and sing songs praising God. (Acts 12:12; Colossians 3:16) At such meetings, Christians received instruction, strengthened their faith, and gave mutual encouragement to one another.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

Nowhere does the Bible say that Christian meetings were to be held on Sunday or any other particular day of the week. So, then, why do many professed Christians observe Sunday as a holy day? The custom of worshipping on Sunday arose after the Bible was completed and a variety of beliefs and traditions not based on the Bible had begun to appear.

Did God later reestablish a weekly day for communal worship? No. The entire pattern for true worship is laid out in detail in the Bible. No other inspired writings have been added to the Holy Scriptures. The apostle Paul was inspired to write: “Even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let him be accursed.”​—Galatians 1:8.

Refreshing Worship That Pleases God

Although the religious leaders of Jesus’ day scrupulously observed a weekly holy day, their worship was not acceptable to God because their hearts were wicked. They loved money and looked down on common, humble people. They desired prominence, they were corrupt, and they were deeply involved in the political struggles of their day. (Matthew 23:6, 7, 29-33; Luke 16:14; John 11:46-48) They claimed to represent God. Yet they turned the Sabbath, which God had intended to be a source of refreshment, into an oppressive system of man-made rules.​—Matthew 12:9-14.

Clearly, observing a weekly holy day is not in itself the key to worship that pleases God. What is needed? Jesus gave this appealing invitation: “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you.” (Matthew 11:28) Worship that is truly based on Jesus’ teachings is indeed refreshing. It is free of hypocrisy and burdensome rituals.

Around the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses closely follow the pattern of worship practiced by Jesus’ early followers. Witnesses enjoy a weekly program of Bible instruction. The days on which their meetings are held are determined by local circumstances, not by unscriptural traditions. Why not visit such a meeting in your community and experience this refreshing worship for yourself?

[Footnote]

HAVE YOU WONDERED?

● Must you worship God on a specific day of the week?​—Romans 10:4; 14:5.

● Why should we meet together for worship?​—Hebrews 10:24, 25.

● What is the key to worship that is truly satisfying?​—Matthew 11:28.

[Chart/​Pictures on pages 10, 11]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

1 THURSDAY

2 FRIDAY

3 SATURDAY

4 SUNDAY

A Bird’s-Eye View of Fishing

FISHERS​—whether humans or birds—​have three fundamental problems to solve: (1) find fish, (2) approach them, and (3) capture them.

A typical method of early Egyptian fishermen was to use a harpoon to spear fish. These fishermen employed the same basic techniques that some birds of the heron family used long before human competitors appeared on the scene.

The gray heron, a bird common in Egypt’s Nile delta, uses its sharp beak like a lance to spear fish. It can even spear two different fish at the same time, and it may eat over a pound (0.5 kg) of fish a day. The heron might be said to surpass human fishermen in guile.

Generally, herons specialize in stalking and striking their prey. A heron will wade slowly through shallow water or sometimes just stay totally still with its beak at the ready. When a fish comes within striking distance, the heron plunges its head into the water and captures the fish with its beak. Patience is usually the key to the bird’s success.

Fishing With Bait

According to the book The Life of Birds, green-backed herons in Japan seem to imitate people who feed bread to fish found in ornamental lakes. Those ingenious birds use pieces of bread to lure fish to within easy reach.

Egrets in the Caribbean also use bread to lure fish. Egrets even catch fish without any bait at all, using their yellow feet. Standing in shallow water on one foot, they wag their other foot in the water to attract the attention of inquisitive fish.

Grab-and-Go Techniques

Birds do their fishing in various ways. Fish eagles, often called osprey, could best be described as grab-and-go fishers. They fly above the water, keeping a lookout for any fish swimming near the surface. Once one is spotted, they fold their wings and dive steeply toward the water, realigning their swoop as necessary before snatching the fish with their talons. This technique requires perfect timing and excellent eyesight.

Sometimes the African fish eagle discovers that the fish it has captured with its talons is too heavy to lift. The fish may weigh up to six pounds (2.7 kg)! What does the eagle do then? Naturalists have observed some solving the problem by paddling to shore using their wings!

Diving for Dinner

Gannets and boobies also dive for fish, but they use a vertical dive. Small flocks fly together searching for shoals of fish that swim near the surface. The silvery bodies of these fish change the color of the sea from dark blue to pale green when viewed from above. This telltale patch of green sets gannets and boobies in motion.

After locating a shoal of fish, gannets plunge like arrows into the water at speeds of up to 60 miles (96.56 km) an hour. The birds create a spectacle one might compare to an Olympic diving competition. Other flocks soon notice the activity and quickly arrive at the spot to share in the feast.

Unlike herons, boobies and gannets do not spear the fish when their head enters the water. The force of their dive carries the birds to a depth of several feet. Then, as they swim to the surface, they catch the fish and swallow it whole.

Terns are also proficient divers, but they swoop and hover much closer to the water. The Handbook of the Birds of the World explains that rather than dive-bombing as boobies and gannets do, terns depend on “skill, grace and agility in flight.” They will scoop a fish from the surface. Only briefly, on occasion, do they pursue a fish under water.

Fishing as a Team

Pelicans may look ungainly because of their huge beaks, but they are accomplished fliers and fishermen. Brown pelicans usually dive for their dinner, and they may also snatch fish from local fishermen as they haul in their nets. But pelicans really excel at collective fishing.

By nature, pelicans are gregarious. A remarkable trait is their habit of coordinating fishing efforts. Typically, a flock of a dozen birds alight on the water and form a semicircle. Swimming slowly, they herd a shoal of fish into a convenient shallow area. As they do, they all open their wings and submerge their heads in unison, gulping fish into their beaks.

Of course, like any human fishers, birds often fail in their attempts. But their success rate is generally much higher than that of their human competitors.

[Picture on page 12]

African fish eagle

[Credit Line]

Photolibrary

[Picture on page 12]

Gray heron

[Picture on page 13]

Northern gannets

[Picture on page 13]

Common tern

[Picture on page 13]

Australian pelicans

A Traditional Form of Russian Wood Painting

● Most visitors to Russia enjoy buying handicrafts of some kind, such as matryoshka dolls. In early times most of such items were crafted from wood by skilled village craftsmen. A traditional form of wood painting is called khokhloma.

For centuries Russians ate from meticulously carved and painted bowls, and they used spoons, cups, and other vessels made of wood. The designs appearing on these were usually of plant or animal life. Entire villages might be devoted to making wooden objects of one kind or another.

Villagers would work on these projects during long, cold winters, when there was little farmwork to do. Producing such handicrafts became very profitable in some towns and villages two hundred or more years ago. For example, at one time, the entire population of Semënov stopped farming and produced nearly two million wooden bowls, platters, cups, and spoons in a single year.

Villagers near the town of Nizhniy Novgorod invented a technique for producing a hard, gilded finish for their painted vessels. Heat-resistant paints and varnishes were developed, and prepared objects were fired in a kiln. High temperatures gave the silver-colored surface an even, golden tone. The process is still used today in khokhloma factories around Nizhniy Novgorod.

Khokhloma designs include flowers and plants found in Russian forests and meadows, as well as birds and fish. Often featured are curling tendrils of grass and leaves mixed with fruits, such as berries of various kinds. The colors are usually red, black, gold, and green. Today, through khokhloma handicrafts, dining tables of people in many places around the world are decorated with pretty colors of the Russian countryside.

“I Did Not Die”

● Do you know this poem? Have you heard it sung? During the last few decades, this poem has brought comfort to people around the world. It has been attributed to different poets over the years. Some have even claimed that it is a Navajo burial prayer. In English it is known, not by its closing lines mentioned above, but by its first line: “Do not stand at my grave and weep.”

The poem became a major hit song in Japan a few years ago, but it also caused a lot of confusion. The Japanese often visit their family’s grave to pay respects to relatives presumed to be still alive there. As a result of this song teaching otherwise, many have asked, “Just where are the dead?”

Japanese Buddhists have long held funerals, wakes, and memorial services. But most Buddhists are unable to answer the question, Where are the dead? Or other questions, such as: Do the dead of other religions and nationalities go to the same place? Why do the dead not respond?

Many feel that such questions are unanswerable and that it is a waste of time even to search for the answers. Still, you may wonder, ‘What happens when we die?’ Just where might answers be found? The Bible says that God created the first human couple perfect and gave them a beautiful garden home. They had the prospect of living forever in Paradise on earth if they obeyed God. But they did not.

So God took action. He expelled the couple from their Paradise home and stopped sustaining their lives. He explained the consequences of their disobedience: “For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Man was made from the dust, and eventually​—at death—​he returns to it.​—Genesis 2:7; 3:19, King James Version.

A man in Kofu, Japan, who tends a large grave noted: “The urns are full of ashes and bones when I put them in the grave. After about five years, they are half empty. After ten years there is absolutely nothing left in many of the urns.” Our bodies are composed of elements in the soil, and in time they disintegrate to dust again. So, what is left?

Although all consciousness ends at death, our Maker, who is even aware of each sparrow that dies, lovingly remembers us. (Matthew 10:29-31) As he has promised, he will resurrect us, yes, bring us back to life. He will call us forth from the sleep of death.​—Job 14:13-15; John 11:21-23, 38-44.

If you would like to know more about this subject, you are invited to write to the publishers of this magazine, who will be glad to furnish further information, or visit our Web site at www.watchtower.org.

Murchison Falls​—Uganda’s Unique Piece of the Nile

“This was the greatest waterfall of the Nile.”​—English explorer Sir Samuel White Baker.

WATERFALLS have always captured the attention and admiration of people. The therapeutic sound of the waters crashing on the rocks below and the soft, cool mist that often ascends from the falls provide countless visitors with hours of relaxation.

Murchison Fallsa in Uganda is no exception. The Nile River extends over 4,000 miles (6,400 km), and some call these falls the river’s most spectacular feature. True, they do not have the height of Angel Falls in South America or the water volume of Victoria Falls in Africa or Niagara Falls in North America. Yet the beauty and power of Murchison Falls leave a lasting impression.

A History of Murchison Falls

Murchison Falls is just one feature of the 1,483-square-mile (3,841 sq km) area that makes up Murchison Falls National Park. The park, located in northwestern Uganda, was established in 1952. The falls were visited by Baker in the early 1860’s. In his book The Albert N’yanza, he describes his first view of the falls.

“Upon rounding the corner,” he wrote, “a magnificent sight burst suddenly upon us. . . . The fall of water was snow white, which had a superb effect as it contrasted with the dark cliffs that walled the river, while the graceful palms of the tropics and wild plantains perfected the beauty of the view. This was the greatest waterfall of the Nile.” Baker originally gave the falls the name Murchison Falls in honor of the president of the Royal Geographical Society.

Ways to View Them

A fine way to view the falls is by boat. The ride originates at the Paraa launch site and provides visitors with the thrilling experience of cruising the Nile while observing wild animals from a comfortable distance. Hippopotamuses are commonly sighted but so are large African elephants, crocodiles, and buffalo. The magnificent Nile wildlife may even cause a visitor temporarily to forget his goal of seeing the falls. But once he reaches the snow-white waters that seemingly explode through the rocks, he understands why Baker was so impressed.

Although many visitors thoroughly enjoy the view of the falls from a boat, the view from above has its own special enchantment. Some consider it the best. From there one can see the 160-foot-wide (49 m) Nile forced into an opening approximately 20 feet wide (6 m) and then cascade 130 feet (40 m). This has been described as “one of the most powerful surges of water found anywhere in the world.” Visitors at times feel a slight tremble in the ground as the water gushes through to the other side.

Baker tells about his impressions just prior to seeing the falls. He said he heard thunderous sounds while out for an early morning walk. He assumed that the sounds were coming from distant thunder but was surprised to discover that they were coming from the falls.

Each year, like Baker, thousands are thrilled by the breathtaking beauty and power of this spectacular sight. Seeing the force of these waters as they cascade to the depths below is an experience not readily forgotten. Murchison Falls is indeed a unique part of the Nile.

[Footnote]

[Box/​Picture on page 17]

Murchison Falls National Park

A 1969 census found that some 14,000 hippopotamuses, 14,500 elephants, and 26,500 buffalo lived in the park. In the decades that followed, a dramatic decline in the populations of such animals occurred. Recently, as a result of conservation efforts, they are making a comeback. Now the forests are also home to many primates, such as chimpanzees and baboons, while the savannas provide grazing for animals such as giraffes and Jackson’s hartebeests. In fact, over 70 mammal species and over 450 bird species have been identified inside the park.

[Picture Credit Line on page 16]

All photos pages 16 and 17: Courtesy of the Uganda Wildlife Authority

“Write to Anton!”

● A teenage Witness of Jehovah named Anton lived in the remote village of Schelkan in Stavropol’ Kray, Russia. In childhood he had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an incurable disease that rapidly wastes the muscles and usually leads to death before age 20. By the time Anton was nine, he could no longer walk or lift himself up.

When on a visit to a congregation of Witnesses, Yevgeny, accompanied by his wife, Diana, met Anton. “Anton was incredibly fragile physically,” Diana explained, “but was strong spiritually. Since his older brother died of the same disease at 19, Anton knew he didn’t have much time left. Still, he was happy and optimistic.”

Both Diana and her husband encouraged Anton to expand his ministry by writing letters to people in other isolated villages. In 2005, he wrote about 500 letters and sent them to addresses in nearby villages. However, to his disappointment, he did not receive a single reply. Although he felt discouraged, Anton continued to write letters, and he prayed earnestly for direction as to how he could be a productive minister despite his circumstances.

When reading a newspaper one day, Anton came across a letter from a sick woman who was in need of comfort. Anton wrote a letter to her, and part of it was printed in the same newspaper: “Although my disease is incurable, reading the Bible helps me to look at the future with confidence,” he wrote. “I love to receive letters and always wait for them.”

Deeply moved, the woman wrote a letter to the same newspaper. It was printed in a column entitled “Write to Anton!” The woman expressed appreciation for the spiritual thoughts expressed in Anton’s letter and added: “Let’s help Anton! Respond and write to him. The young man is in such need of kind words!” Anton’s address was provided.

Letters to Anton began arriving at the small post office in his village​—up to 30 a day! They came from all over Russia, as well as the Baltics, Germany, and even France. He received hundreds of letters from the newspaper’s readers. “Anton was just ecstatic!” remembers Diana. “Now he had hundreds of people he could write to and share his Bible-based beliefs with.”

Anton spent over a year corresponding with those who had written to him, and he shared Bible truths with them. Gradually, as his hands weakened, he began to dictate his letters. In September 2008, Anton died at 20 years of age. Although he was extremely fragile physically, Anton’s faith and love for the ministry opened up opportunities for him to touch hundreds of lives.

The Domesday Book​—An Extraordinary Survey

William, the duke of Normandy (a region of France), conquered England in 1066. Nineteen years later he commissioned a survey of his new realm. Compilations of this survey came to be called the Domesday Book. Why is it still one of England’s most important historical records?

WILLIAM landed near Hastings, England, in September 1066. There, on October 14, he defeated the army of English King Harold, who was killed. On Christmas Day 1066, William, later known as the Conqueror, was crowned in London’s Westminster Abbey. How would the English fare under their new king?

The Great Survey

King William I ravaged the north of the country and depopulated vast tracts of land. “Even by the fairly barbaric standards of the age,” writes former Oxford University staff tutor Trevor Rowley, “the ‘harrying of the North’ (1068-70) must be judged as savage.” William faced constant uprisings, and his army of occupation, numbering ten thousand or less, lived amid a hostile population of perhaps two million. The people of Normandy eventually built over 500 fortifications throughout the country​—the most famous being the Tower of London.

In December 1085, 19 years after his invasion, William spent five days with his court officials at Gloucester, England, planning a survey of the country, excluding London and Winchester. Early the following year, royal commissioners were sent simultaneously to each of seven different regions to question county representatives and assess the country’s wealth.

The king had to raise money to pay his army of occupation. He also needed to settle disputes over land ownership. Achieving these goals would ensure that people from Normandy and other parts of France would settle in England, and thus Norman supremacy would be maintained.

“Domesday”

Soon after his victory over the English, King William gave Norman barons the holdings of English nobles. William’s survey of England revealed that half of the value of the whole country was by then in the hands of fewer than 200 men, only 2 of whom were English. Of the 6,000 or so English subtenants, many had no alternative but to lease land they had rightfully owned before 1066, while the poor and dispossessed managed as best they could.

The survey legalized the takeover of property by the Normans. It also revalued for tax purposes land and tenancies, along with woodlands and meadows. Even individual animals​—an ox, a cow, a pig—​were included in the survey. The oppressed English viewed these findings with apprehension, knowing there was no appeal possible. They likened the great survey to the “Day of Judgment,” or the “Day of Doom.” Later, therefore, it was named the Domesday Book survey.

The Domesday Book is composed of two volumes written on parchment in Latin. Great Domesday, larger in page size, has 413 leaves; and Little Domesday, 475 smaller ones.a It was left uncompleted when William died in 1087. How was all of this accomplished in one year?

The Normans inherited from the English a governmental structure with some details of owners and tenants, as well as fiscal and tax records. Using this foundation, the Normans then made new tax assessments by sending officers to each county to conduct a public inquiry.

The Book Today

During the Middle Ages, the Domesday Book often traveled with the royal household. It was first used mainly to settle land claims; however, in the 18th century, the noted English jurist Sir William Blackstone referred to it to determine the right of certain tenants to vote. It has been stored in various locations, but it is now in The National Archives of the United Kingdom.

To mark its 900th anniversary in 1986, it was rebound into five volumes. A revised translation of its text into English is available for scholars and historians. A BBC commentary called it “the foundation document of the national archives and . . . still valid as evidence of title to land.” In 1958 it was used to verify the right of an ancient town to hold its market.

Archaeologists continue to consult the Domesday Book to locate medieval English and Norman settlements. It remains a uniquely valuable source of information that laid the foundation for the development of the English nation.

[Footnote]

[Box/​Picture on page 23]

WILLIAM’S CRUSADE

William suggested that the pope elevate William’s invasion to that of a crusade, promising in return greater papal control over an errant English church. The pope readily agreed. This was “a triumph of diplomacy” for William, writes Professor David C. Douglas. Another noted historian, George M. Trevelyan, in his History of England, concludes that “the Papal banner and blessing were a useful asset to William in an undertaking that otherwise looked more like a robbery under arms than a crusade.”

[Credit Line]

© The Bridgeman Art Library

[Map on page 22]

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ENGLAND

LONDON

Hastings

English Channel

NORMANDY

[Picture Credit Line on page 22]

Book: Mary Evans/​The National Archives, London, England

Tatars​—Their Past, Present, and Future

FROM childhood I had heard the saying: “Scratch a Russian and you find a Tartar [Tatar].” I always considered myself Russian, but not long ago my relatives told me that my grandfather was a Tatar.a When I tell my friends this, some say that they too have Tatar roots.

It has been interesting for me to learn about famous Tatars and their achievements in art, sports, and other areas. For example, ballet master Rudolf Nureyev, who had a profound impact on dance, was born into a Tatar family in Russia. About seven million Tatars live in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Let me tell you what I have learned about Tatars.

Their Past

Tatars have been mentioned in connection with Mongolian and Turkish peoples for many centuries. In the 13th century, they took part in military campaigns initiated by Genghis Khan, the Mongolian leader.b His empire spread over an immense area, comparable in size to the former Soviet Union. In 1236, about 150,000 of his warriors headed toward Europe, which begins west of the Ural Mountains. Here, they first attacked Russian cities.

When the Mongols conquered Russia not long after that, they founded a mixed Mongolian-Turkish state, the western part of which some call the Golden Horde. Its capital, Sarai Batu, was located on the lower Volga River. This state included part of Siberia and its Ural Mountains, as well as the distant Carpathian and Caucasus mountain ranges in Ukraine and Georgia. Russian principalities were made to pay tribute to the Horde. In the 15th century, the Horde broke up into jurisdictions, such as Crimea, Astrakhan, and Kazan’.

Tatarstan and Its Capital, Kazan’

Today about four million people live in the multinational Republic of Tatarstan, located in the far eastern part of European Russia. Its territory is about 26,255 square miles (68,000 sq km), and it is reputed to be among “the most economically developed subjects of the Russian Federation.” Tatarstan is a leading Russian producer of oil and gas. Its industries produce airplanes and automobiles, and the republic has several airports.

Kazan’ is a modern city of a million people, where the Volga and the Kazanka rivers meet. It is one of the many cities in Russia that have built beautiful subway systems.c Every station has a theme. Some are modern in design, and others have an oriental or medieval feel. One Kazan’ station is decorated with 22 mosaic frescoes representing traditional Tatar fairy tales.

Kazan Federal University was founded in 1804 by Russian Czar Alexander I and has one of the largest libraries in Russia. It is an influential educational and cultural center and is a forerunner of other universities in Tatarstan. Among the library’s 5,000,000 publications are 30,000 ancient manuscripts, some of which date back to the ninth century C.E.

It is enjoyable to walk along Bauman Street in the city center. The area is filled with attractive stores and cafés. When visiting there recently, my wife and I enjoyed a relaxing cruise on the Volga River after our city tour.

Among the highlights of Kazan’ is its famous kremlin. This old fortress, with its buildings dating back to the 16th century, is the only Tatar fortress in Russia to survive to the present. Within the stone walls of the Kazan’ Kremlin are the Syuyumbeki Tower, buildings of the Tatarstan government, a mosque, and an Orthodox church.

In 2000, the Kazan’ Kremlin became a UNESCO World Heritage site. At night the architecture of the kremlin complex looks especially majestic. This is made possible by lights that reflect in the river.

The People and Their Language

The Tatars are the largest population of Turkic peoples in Russia and are said to total some 5,500,000. But it is not known how many there really are throughout this vast country.

The Tatar language belongs to the Turkic family of languages. This language family also includes Azerbaijani, Bashkir, Kazakh, Kirghiz, Nogai, Turkish, Turkoman, Tuvinian, Uzbek, and Yakut. Some of these languages are similar enough that, to some degree, speakers can understand each other.

Turkic-language speakers in the world number into many millions. On streets of cities throughout Tatarstan, people use both Tatar and Russian, as do newspapers and books, radio, and television. Theaters in Tatarstan feature Tatar-language plays, which revolve around Tatar history, folklore, and daily life.

Storefront and street signs in Kazan’ and other cities are in both Russian and Tatar. Russian has many words of Tatar origin. In the Soviet Union, written Tatar underwent a change from the Arabic alphabet to the Latin alphabet in 1928. Since 1939, Tatar has been written in a form of Cyrillic similar to the Russian Cyrillic.

National Traditions

Tatars were once hunters and stock raisers. Even today, traditional cooking includes many meat dishes. One is belesh, a favorite of many Tatar families. It is usually made like a pie, with a filling of potatoes, meat, onions, and spices. This is baked for about two hours. Then the “pie” is cut up at the table in front of everyone as steam rises from the top.

Among Tatars’ national holidays, probably the oldest and most famous is Sabantui. It is based on a pagan custom in which people prayed together and offered sacrifices to the sun-god and the spirits of ancestors. The participants believed that such sacrifices would ensure that their bloodline would continue, their animals would reproduce, and their land would be fruitful.

Tatars love horses. They are an important part of their traditional culture and are linked to their nomadic past. Kazan’ has one of the finest hippodromes in the world, with 12 stables and a veterinary clinic. A swimming pool is even provided for the horses!

What the Future Holds

The Koran says: “Certainly We wrote in the Psalms, after the Torah: ‘Indeed My righteous servants shall inherit the earth.’” (Sura 21, Al-Anbiyā [The Prophets], verse 105). Evidently this was taken from the psalms of David that were recorded in the Bible over 1,500 years earlier. Psalm 37:29 reads: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”

From which nation and ethnic group will these happy, righteous people come? A prophecy from the Injil (the Christian Gospels of the New Testament) says: “A great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” (Revelation 7:9) What a wonderful life it will be in the future to live among a multinational and colorful brotherhood that will fill the earth!d

[Footnotes]

[Box on page 25]

GOD’S NAME IN THE TATAR LANGUAGE

The book Dinnər Tarixb (Religions of the World) written by Tatar author M. Khuzhayev, states that Adam was created by Yakhve Allah, or Jehovah God. Also, the Tatar edition of the Pentateuch​—that is, the first five books of modern Bibles—​contains a footnote at Genesis 2:4 that says of God’s name: “It is possible that this name was pronounced by ancient Hebrews as Yahveh.”

[Box on page 26]

JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN TATARSTAN

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia hold classes to teach the Tatar language because they have a strong desire to tell people about the good news of God’s Kingdom. A woman in Tatarstan said: “Knowledge about God in my native language has touched me even to the point of tears.”

In 1973 a small group of Tatar Jehovah’s Witnesses began to hold meetings for Bible study in the Tatar language. In the 1990’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses began publishing Bible literature in Tatar.e Then, in 2003, the first Tatar-language congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses was formed in Naberezhnye Chelny, in Tatarstan Republic. Today, there are 8 Tatar-language congregations and 20 such groups in Russia.

In 2008, delegates from Astrakhan, the Volga Region, the Ural Mountains, West Siberia, and the far north attended the Tatar-language district convention. Now in Tatarstan there are 36 Tatar-, Russian-, and Russian-Sign-Language congregations and groups, where over 2,300 people are actively engaged in teaching people the truth about God.

[Footnote]

[Box/​Picture on page 27]

AN ATHLETE BECOMES A SHEPHERD

Pyotr Markov was born in a village in Tatarstan in 1948. For 30 years he was well-known locally for his wrestling and weight-lifting abilities. Once he lifted a 70-pound (32 kg) weight 130 times. Now, since he became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he is well-known for talking to people about God in the Tatar and Russian languages and providing them with help for coping with life’s problems.

Thereby Pyotr imitates the caring Creator, about whom it is said at Isaiah 40:11: “Like a shepherd he will shepherd his own drove. With his arm he will collect together the lambs; and in his bosom he will carry them. Those giving suck he will conduct with care.”

[Picture]

Pyotr now serves as a spiritual shepherd

[Map on page 24]

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RUSSIA

URAL MOUNTAINS

MOSCOW

St. Petersburg

REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN

Kazan’

Volga River

[Picture on page 25]

The Kazan’ Kremlin on the Kazanka River

[Credit Line]

© Michel Setboun/​CORBIS

[Picture on page 26]

“Belesh” is a favorite dish of many Tatar families

Was It Designed?

The Bird’s Egg

● The bird’s egg has been called “a miracle of packaging.” Why?

Consider: While it appears solid, the calcium-rich shell of a chicken egg can have up to 8,000 microscopic pores. These allow oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to escape​—an important exchange if the embryo is to breathe. Yet, the shell and several membranes prevent bacteria from infecting the embryo. Albumen​—a gelatinlike substance with a high water content—​gives the egg its ability to absorb shock.

Researchers would like to imitate the structure of the egg to create products with better shock protection and a film coating that could protect fruit from bacteria and parasites. However, “copying nature is not so easy,” writes Marianne Botta Diener in Vivai magazine. Attempts thus far, she notes, have not been environmentally friendly.

What do you think? Did this “miracle of packaging,” the bird’s egg, come about by chance? Or was it designed?

[Diagram on page 28]

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INSIDE AN EGG

Shell

Yolk

Chalaza (anchors yolk)

Outer membrane

Inner membrane

Germinal disc (where embryo starts)

Thin albumen

Thick albumen

Air space

Watching the World

A poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation among 13,000 people in 26 countries suggested that “corruption is the world’s most talked about problem.” However, poverty was considered the world’s most important problem.​—BBC NEWS, BRITAIN.

“Churches throughout the U.S. are attaching GPS tracking devices to their nativity statues of the baby Jesus. In recent years, there’s been a nationwide spate of thefts of nativity statues.”​—THE WEEK, U.S.A.

“An advisory committee to the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration is recommending that people with chronic fatigue syndrome be barred from donating blood, amid concerns a retrovirus may be linked to the disease.”​—THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, U.S.A.

Light Kills Superbugs

A novel technology, which uses high-intensity light to eliminate stubborn bacteria from hospitals, has been developed at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. The new decontamination technique is significantly more efficient in reducing pathogens than cleaning and disinfecting alone. It “works by using a narrow spectrum of visible-light wavelengths to excite molecules contained within bacteria,” explains microbiologist Professor John Anderson.

Forest Clearing and Malaria

The clearing of tropical forests is linked to an almost 50 percent increase in cases of malaria. So say researchers who have studied data from 54 of Brazil’s health districts along with satellite images that document logging operations. The main carrier of malaria in the region studied is a mosquito known as Anopheles darlingi. “The deforested landscape, with more open spaces and partially sunlit pools of water, appears to provide ideal habitat for this mosquito,” says Sarah Olson, lead author of the report. Malaria hot spots were found to correspond to areas in which there is the greatest destruction of the forest.

Flying Squid

Photographic evidence has recently confirmed that some species of squid fly using jet propulsion. Marine biologists observed that “squid as small as 20 centimeters [8 inches] could launch themselves as high as two meters [6.6 feet] above the water and propel themselves, actively flapping their fins and spiraling their tentacles, for a distance as great as 10 meters [33 feet],” says Scientific American. By taking in water and then forcing it out in a jet, the mollusks generate enough thrust to leap right out of the sea. Photos seem to indicate that in flight they use their fins as wings.

For Family Review

What Is Different?

Can you identify the three differences between picture A and picture B? Write your answers on the lines below, and complete the pictures by coloring them.

CLUE: Read Exodus 25:23, 30, 31, 37; 30:1-7; Leviticus 24:5, 6.

1. ․․․․․

2. ․․․․․

3. ․․․․․

4. Which picture is correct, picture A or picture B?

FOR DISCUSSION:

What did the priests have to do before serving in the tabernacle?

CLUE: Read Exodus 30:17-21.

If you want to please your parents and Jehovah, how important is your cleanliness? In addition to being physically clean, how else can you be clean?

CLUE: Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 7:1.

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

Have each family member research facts about “the Holy Place” in the tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:2) Then come together and report one new fact that you have learned.

CLUE: Read Psalm 119:105; 141:2; Matthew 4:4; John 4:34; Revelation 8:4.

Collect and Learn

Cut out, fold in half, and save

BIBLE CARD 9 JEREMIAH

QUESTIONS

A. Jehovah used Jeremiah to write what four Bible books?

B. True or false? Jeremiah remained single.

C. Complete Jeremiah’s statement: “In my heart [the word of God] proved to be like . . . ”

[Chart]

4026 B.C.E. Adam created

Lived circa 650 B.C.E.

1 C.E.

98 C.E. Last Bible book written

[Map]

Lived in Jerusalem. Traveled to the Euphrates River and to Egypt​—Jeremiah 13:1-9; 43:8-13

Jerusalem

Euphrates

EGYPT

JEREMIAH

PROFILE

Selected before his birth to be a prophet. (Jeremiah 1:1-5) Jeremiah served God faithfully for over 65 years. Though Jeremiah felt inexperienced and afraid to speak, Jehovah told him: “Do not be afraid . . . , for ‘I am with you to deliver you.’”​—Jeremiah 1:6-8.

ANSWERS

A. First and Second Kings, Jeremiah, and Lamentations.

B. True.​—Jeremiah 16:1-4.

C. “. . . a burning fire shut up in my bones.”​—Jeremiah 20:9.

Peoples and Lands

5. My name is Geoffrey. I am nine years old, and I live in Fiji. About how many of Jehovah’s Witnesses live in Fiji? Is it 500, 2,500, or 10,500?

6. Which dot shows where I live? Circle it, draw a dot where you live, and see how close you are to Fiji.

A

B

C

D

Children’s Picture Search

Can you find these pictures in this issue? In your own words, describe what is happening in each picture.

● “FOR FAMILY REVIEW” answers on page 27

ANSWERS TO PAGES 30 AND 31

1. Number of lamps on the lampstand.

2. Number of loaves of showbread.

3. Horns extending out of the incense altar.

4. A.

5. 2,500.

6. D.

How to Be God’s Friend

● That is what the 32-page brochure You Can Be God’s Friend! teaches us. Its appealing lessons include “God Invites You to Become His Friend” and “God Is the Best Friend You Could Ever Have.” The brochure is designed to help the reader learn the basic teachings of the Bible.

In its lesson “God’s Friends Will Live in Paradise,” the brochure clearly explains God’s purpose for our earth. Yet, to enjoy the Paradise that the Bible promises, we need to learn how God wants us to serve him. Such lessons as “How to Find the True Religion” and “Reject False Religion!” will help you to become God’s friend and to enjoy his favor. We are sure that you will find reading this brochure rewarding.

You may request a personal Bible study, as well as a copy of this brochure, by filling in the accompanying coupon and mailing it to an appropriate address listed on page 5 of this magazine.

□ Without obligation, I request a copy of the brochure shown here.

□ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study.